The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1887-06-17
GARIBALDTS LETTER.
WHY Mr.. MORoSlNl PRIZES IT ABOVE
HIS ART TREASURES.

A wonderful Collection OF Curios from
r,.rv Land uid Away In the Bankers
Secluded Home on the BiuhS OF the
Hudson.
On n HIGH bluff overlooking the Hudson
md about mile west OF kingsbridge, is
Elmhurt. the residence OF GlOVanhl r.
Norosini surrounded on three sides by
Gently sloping lawns, the house itself
stands upon an cmnence that OverlOoks
many miles OF the most picturesque terri
tory in the state. There arc thirty-three
acres I'm Mr.. Mor0sini's domain, "A large
nor, ~ IL being in woodland. The gar
dens orchards and strawberries give evil
dence of taste and careful cultivation.
Living I'm this beautiful and secluded spot,
the wealthy owner has devoted the leisure
of many years TO the collection OF curlOsi-
ties from almost every cline under the
sun. Hardly a month passes that he does
not add TO his already enormous accumu-
lotion Of curios. and he has already eX-
pended a fortune in gratifying this passion
for the antique. Few persons in TINS city,
even among his acquaintance, have
known of this peculiar trait Of character
I'm the Wall street operator and partner OF
Mr. Gould. and still fewer are aware thao
the TRANQUIL looking mansion on the banks
of the Hudson is a vertable arsenal with
in. and holds treasures probably rarer and
Of greater value than are to he found IN
any private collection Of arms in tins
country.
A reporter who enjoyed the privilege
OF a private view Of this collection found
It particularly rich in specimens OF an
tique armor In the main hall tho visitor
is confronted on either side by silent forms
that recall the collection in the Tower OF
London. Tall knights in full panoply,
surmounted by nodding plumes, are
ranged in long lines.
THE MAIN COLLECTION
-Four large rooms are devoted 10 the
main collection, which is surprising one
both in extent and variety. One room
presents the appearance Of an arsenal.
Nv the window are two brass cannon, sur
rounded by dragons heads at the muzzle.
These were taken by a British war ship
from Chinese pirate. Alongside are two
smaller pieces Of ordnance that did ser
vice In the German wars at the time OF
Gustavus Adolphus Ranged along the
walls and in the center Of the room are
large cabinets containing mass OF
weapons sufficient 70 equip full regi-
ment Guns, smooth and rihed, of every
conceivable pattern, from the beautifully
decorated and inlad weapon Of the Moor
TO the modern repeating rifle; Tartar
guns, with exquisitely wrought silver or
naments, some with barrels OF shining
silver, and others Of copper; wonderful
Arab guns with long and deadly looking
barrels, that recall the old time Kentucky
rife; blunderbusses and odd looking fire
arms from the East Dutch, German,
Austrian and Russian guns, and a score
or more of the venerable flint lock mus
kets that were the immediate predecessors
Of those used in Revolutionary days.
There are, too, arQuebuses and ugly look
ing pistols of CrOmwell's time, with
match lock and wheel, looking at which
the observer no longer wonders at the in
junction Of the stern old protector TO his
soldiers as to keeping their powder dry.
I'm the same room are a number Of
swords Of rare workmanship and value.
Bright cleaning blades from Toledo with
hilts Of gold or silver, and scabbards that
show the highest skill of the metal work
er's art; swords of Damascus steel, with
delicatcly inlaid and curiOusly formed
hits; keen curved blades that have doubt
less been worn by some Chinese prince or
japanese daimiO; long, dangerous looking
rapieTs of Venetian make that have prob
ably sDtted many victim; the Scottish
claymOre, the ieweled cineter Of the
rajah, the scarcely less decorated weapon
of the Circassian, and the heavy cavalry
swords Of the German and Austrian cav
alryman. The japanese and Chinese
swords are a study in themselves. One Of
the most remarkable pieces in the cOllec
ton is a pOnderOus two edged sword
seven feet long that was said to have been
used in the Spanish inquisition. 1t pre-
sents remarkable contrast TO the light
and elegant court swords worn by Euro
pean officers of high rank Of which there
are IA number in the collection Near the
latter are the rude native weapons OF the
cannibal tribes of New Caledonia, the
French penal colony-circular axes Of
flint with long heavy handles, and great
clubs with wicked looking sharp knobs all
over them, and doubtless effective as
missionary persuaders"
LETTER FROM GARIBALDI.
MERE stlu MI. MOIOSinl pointing 10
an adjoining nook, these are thigh bones
Of victims that those cannibal fellows
saved and polished after they had dincd
of them And up there, that round look
Ing affair like Il corn-cob is all covered
with human teeth.
In large square room is an assortment
OF musical and striking watches. every
one OF which is marvel of mechanical
skill and ingenuity. In a large case is "A
specimen Of the finest art of which the
famous silycrsniths of India are capable
huge galley. or gondola, from Calcutta.
Ii is of silver throughout, and the eXQuis-
lite tracery Of the fihgree work shows that
It's construction must have been the labor
of almost lifetime.
That cross of the first consul, " said
Mr.. MOrOsni, lis very rare Here is
something however that | value still
more highly II is the colors of the army
of francc-a mere scrap, yon see, and all
sewed and patched together Rather
than surrender these colOrs the French
soldiers tore them into fragments, and